There was no change at the top of the J. League Saturday as Vegalta Sendai were held 1-1 at home by Sagan Tosu, while leaders Sanfrecce Hiroshima twice let their advantage slip in a 2-2 draw at Kashima.
In a scrappy game at Yurtec Stadium, both Sendai and Tosu saw chances go begging before Yohei Toyoda broke the deadlock in the 14th minute to put the visitors ahead, stealing in unmarked to nod home Kota Mizunuma's curling cross from the right.
Tosu briefly laid siege to the Sendai goal but lacked the finesse to capitalize on half chances, Ryuhei Niwa blasting over from close range and Kim Min Woo lobbing over the bar. They paid the price in the 29th minute, when Yoshiaki Ota cut back down left and crossed for striker Shingo Akamine to meet with a towering header that gave keeper Taku Akahoshi no hope.